Emporia campus closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday

February 20, 2013

Emporia State University closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 and will remain closed through Thursday, Feb. 21 in anticipation of inclement weather conditions. All Wednesday evening classes are canceled.

“We want our students, staff and faculty to be safe,” said Dr. Michael D. Shonrock, president of Emporia State University, noting that Gov. Sam Brownback has closed executive offices for Thursday, the Legislature is closed Thursday and other state universities also have closed in anticipation of the winter storm.

Tonight’s men’s and women’s basketball games with Pittsburg State University are being played as planned. Start time were moved up to help the PSU players, coaches and fans return home sooner.

On Thursday, the Hornets Nest resident dining will be open on a weekend schedule to accommodate students living in the residence halls.

Although the Emporia campus is closed, students in off-campus classes should follow the procedures outlines in the University Policy Manual for notification and reporting:

3P.0203 OFF-CAMPUS CLASSES

If it is not possible for the instructor to travel to the location of the class, or if weather conditions make travel hazardous at that location, the individual instructor may make the decision to cancel the class. The instructor must notify the department chair and Distance Education. The instructor should also contact a nucleus of students who would notify other students in their area in accordance with a prearranged plan. In case Distance Education cannot be reached, the instructor should also notify the campus switchboard and ESU Police and Safety.

Also on Thursday, crews from the Academic, Residential and Memorial Union facilities will be working and treating around their respective buildings and entrances. University facility crews will be working on sidewalks, parking lots and streets. Trouble areas may be reported to the University Facilities Office (Ext. 5331). Even with cleared walks and entrances, extreme care should be taken due to continual thawing and freezing cycles occurring during and after the event. Persons with mobility restrictions should take extreme precautions and request assistance or make arrangements with their departments to remain at home. Everyone should take extra time and be extra careful during and after the weather event.

Friday, Feb. 22 was already designated an academic holiday with no classes. A decision whether faculty and staff need to report on Friday will be made later. The campus community should listen to KVOE AM radio station (1400) or Kansas Public Radio; or watch KWCH , WIBW, KSNT or KTKA television stations; or access the home page for the University (www.emporia.edu) to determine whether the campus will be closed on Friday. If there is no new notification, campus will be open and staff will report to work.